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Hispanic Heritage Month Poster 2018
DoD observes Hispanic Heritage Month
9/15/2018
by Yonca Poyraz-Dogan, Navy Office of Information Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy observes National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15, highlighting the histories and accomplishments of Americans from Spanish-speaking areas.
This year’s theme is “Hispanics: One Endless Voice to Enhance our Traditions.”
As of June 2018, approximately 59,000 active and Reserve Sailors of Hispanic heritage serve in the U.S. Navy contributing to the strength of the nation’s force. Hispanic Americans’ military service dates back to the Civil War.
One well-known example is Jorge Farragut who was born on the Spanish island of Minorca and joined the South Carolina Navy in 1779. Remembered as one of the first Hispanic Revolutionary War heroes, he was instrumental in securing a Union victory in New Orleans on April 28, 1862. When Adm. Farragut died in 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant led 10,000 Soldiers and Sailors through the streets of New York during his funeral procession. Read more...

Navy awards three littoral combat ships
9/18/2018
From Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy awarded modifications to previously awarded littoral combat ship (LCS) contracts for one Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 LCS to Lockheed Martin and two FY 2018 LCSs to Austal USA, Sept. 18.
“These contract awards represent an important next step in delivering critical warfighting capability to the fleet,” said Capt. Mike Taylor, LCS program manager (PMS 501).
The three LCSs being awarded today are the future LCS-29, LCS-32 and LCS-34. LCS-29 will be built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. LCS-32 and LCS-34 will be built at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.
The Navy has accepted delivery of 16 LCSs. Including today’s contract modifications, a total of 32 LCSs have been procured, with 10 ships under construction (LCS 15, 17, 19-26) and six additional ships under contract (LCS 27-30, 32, 34).
PEO USC is affiliated with the Naval Sea Systems Command and provides a single program executive responsible for acquiring and sustaining mission capabilities of the LCS class, from procurement through fleet employment and sustainment. The combined capability of the LCSs and LCS mission systems is designed to dominate the littoral battle space and provide U.S. forces with assured access to coastal areas.

Aloha USS O'Kane, USS Wayne E. Meyer
9/14/2018
From Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM (NNS) -- “Aloha” means hello and goodbye.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) arrived in its new homeport, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in a homeport shift with USS O’Kane (DDG 77). O’Kane departed for San Diego this week after nearly 19 years of service in the middle Pacific.
O’Kane was commissioned in Pearl Harbor October 23, 1999.
O’Kane’s namesake is World War II Prisoner of War and Medal of Honor Recipient Rear Adm. Richard O’Kane. During WWII, O’Kane, aboard submarines USS Wahoo (SS 238) and USS Tang (SS 306) earned an unprecedented and unrivaled record of victories against the enemy, destroying warships and supply lines.
The guided-missile destroyer Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) arrived Sept. 13, just after Tropical Storm Olivia passed through the Oahu.
The ship’s namesake, Rear Adm. Wayne E. Meyer, is considered the father of Aegis, the Navy’s computerized weapons system able to detect and counter threats from nearly 300 miles away. Aegis aboard ships and Aegis ashore help the Navy execute multi-mission tasking.
Both USS O’Kane and USS Wayne E. Meyer, along with other DDGs, support forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence. DDGs coordinate with units of a task group to conduct naval operations and execute the Maritime Strategy under a naval component commander.
Maintaining the most technologically advanced ships is vital to support the United States’ commitment to the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Military couple assignment policy: 5 things to know
The Navy realizes how important families are, and when they're not whole it can add stress to a Sailor's life. Collocation of dual-military couples is part of supporting families. It is a priority, along with balancing fleet readiness. The revised policy updates the collocation and distribution procedures and makes orders negotiation less cumbersome........ read more

Navy Pregnancy and Parenthood mobile app available
"Pregnancy and parenthood can be compatible with a successful military career when Service members and the Command both understand their roles and responsibilities, said Capt. Candace Eckert, director of N1 Diversity. "This app makes that task easier by identifying regulations, instructions and references from a wide variety of sources and offering them in one easy-to-use app. The app includes information regarding assignments, retention, separation, standards of conduct and much more." ......read more

Separation policy
To protect Sailors and Marines suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) or any other diagnosed mental health condition, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus has made his department the first in the military to assure such conditions are considered before separating a service member. ......read more